Washington Deputy First Fatality in Sheriff Department's 165-Year History

Cowlitz County deputy first to be killed in department's 165 year history

Officials with the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office in Washington say a deputy was shot and killed in the line of duty Saturday night - the first in the 165-year history of the department.

Justin DeRosier, 29, was responding to a report of a disabled vehicle when he radioed in that he had been shot, Sheriff Brad Thurman said at a press conference Sunday. DeRoisier was flown to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver where he was later pronounced dead.

DeRosier, a graduate of Washington State University, had been with the department since May 2016. DeRoiser was set to begin training as a narcotics investigator with a drug task force in July.

He's survived by his wife and 6-month-old daughter, Thurman said.

The shooting prompted a massive manhunt for the suspect or suspects responsible for DeRoiser's death. On Sunday evening around 7 p.m., officers responded to reports of a suspicious person near Spencer Creek Road in Kalama, the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office said. When officers arrived on scene, a suspect began firing on police and ultimately killed in the exchange.

None of the officers were hurt in the shootout. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the suspect or the two other men who were arrested at the scene. No additional details were released about the gun battle.

Photos: Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office


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